Kidderminster Harriers 2-3 Gateshead

A Kris Gate goal ten minutes from time from a well worked move saw Gateshead get their Blue Square Bet Premier campaign off to a flyer with victory in Worcestershire.

The Tynesiders roared into a two goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes at Kidderminster only for the Harriers to storm back with two goals inside five minutes to level the scores, Paul Farman then making a crucial second half save before Gate poached the late winner.

Gateshead stunned the Aggborough faithful after just four minutes when new boy Chris Carruthers curled a free kick goalwards.

Kyle Storer used his hand as he attempted to block the full back's effort and Jon Shaw slotted home the resultant penalty, the second quickest goal of the new Conference premier season, former Heed loan star Paul Connor having netted a minute earlier for Mansfield Town.

Stung by Gateshead's early strike Luke Jones immediately headed against the post as Kidderminster hit back but it was the Heed who went on to double their lead.

Marauding right back Eddie Odhiambo swung in a cross from the right that saw fellow summer signing Micky Cummins, unmarked inside the six yard box, plant a header past Dan Lewis.

Ian Bogie's side needed to take the sting out of the game and keep the Harriers at arms length for awhile - but instead conceded two quick goals.

Within two minutes Marc Williams threaded a through ball into the path of Nick Wright who confidently shot past an exposed Farman.

Worse was to follow as the Heed defence was guilty of ball watching when Callum Gittings' corner was headed home powerfully by Harriers debutant Storer.

Wright raced clear from half way early in the second half only to shoot over and then Farman came to the rescue when he made a vital block from James Vincent.

Gateshead had the better of the play in the final half hour as they kept the ball well and Shaw forced a save from Lewis with a header.

A quality move then gave the Heed the winner. Sub Kyle Nix played in Yemi Odubade on the right of the box and his 80th minute cross was met by the onrushing Gate who found the net just as he had done two years ago at Aggborough.